3rd Reich Rifle Association Dagger by Alcoso – D1259
3rd Reich Shooting Association daggers are not all that commonly encountered on the edged weapon market. Adopted in 1939, this organization was neither associated as a political nor military membership, though more in line with what is the NRA ( National Rifle Association) in America today. This is a nice example with an un-damaged grip, which is rarely encountered with these edged weapons.
As mentioned, to find one of these daggers with an undamaged grip is a hunt for a collector to say the least. The true nature of these long fluted Torlon covered wood grips made them extremely prone to all sorts of damage. But the one on this hilt is a beauty! Being the typical off white in color, the handle on this cutlass is as nice as you are apt to find associated with these shooting association daggers. It is void of any chips, splits, nor the typical seen circumference crack that is inherent to due to the shrinkage of the underlying wood base. Pinned to the center of the obverse is a brass insignia in the shape of a crossed set of hunting rifles. The plating to the pommel and crossguard has held up nicely on this hilt, void of the unsightly flaking that is often seen. Completing the hilt is the stylistic and ornate clam shell with the pinned button representing the German Hunting Association. A fantastic grip and hilt on this cutlass!
Long, thin and light weight, many times the scabbards to these edged weapon are found creased and or broken. Though void of that challenge, the internal leather at the lip of this scabbard has shrunk a little, which prevents the dagger from seating all the way into the shell. I’m not sure if some leather preservative could be used to correct this, though probably worth a try if the next owner chose to do so. Most of the time, these daggers are displayed out of the scabbard in order to show the ornate etched blade which they came with. The plated upper and lower fittings are nice and tight and beautifully preserved, displaying an un-cleaned patina shown over their surfaces. The leather housing is expertly stitched at the reverse, with the grain void of even so much as a pressure mark. A wonderful scabbard to this Alcoso shooting dagger.
Finally, the double etched panel blade. It remains full length, unsharpened, and void of any tipping or cutting-edge chips. It does have some surface darkening in areas, but this blade has not been even so much as wiped off in the last 3/4 of a century. And truthfully, it will clean up considerable with little effort and no harm done to it if you gently go over it. The light etch of the flora and fauna is shown on both sides and remains untouched. And finally, the stamped scales logo, that of a the well know edged weapon of Alcoso.
An excellent untouched German Shooting Association dagger. $1995.00